The Higher Education reforms: Issues and areas for change

The Higher Education reforms: Issues and areas for change

Universities have a strong interest in having the future arrangements decided to allow as much clarity as possible for students considering enrolling in 2015 and to allow universities to plan well for the changes due in 2016.

The Government plans to introduce legislation for the higher education package to the House of Representatives in September 2014 to have it passed for the Senate to consider in October or November 2014, allowing passage by the end of 2014. The assumption has been that the Senate will refer the legislation to a Committee to permit a detailed analysis and more political plays, which could delay a final vote until early 2015. In recent discussion the Opposition has raised the option of putting the legislation to an immediate vote – which it would do if it thought the numbers would be against it.